Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave
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| Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Nearest city: | Horse Cave, Kentucky |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1934 |
| Architect: | Sam Lively |
| Architectural style(s): | No Style Listed |
| Added to NRHP: | July 17, 1997 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 97000694 |
| MPS: | Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS |
| Governing body: | Private |
The Unknown Confederate Soldier Monument in Horse Cave is a monument between Horse Cave, Kentucky and Kentucky Down Under, off the main road between Horse Cave and I-65 on the Old Dixie Highway, in Hart County, Kentucky. Among the various monuments of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky Multiple Property Submission, all of which became part of the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1997, it is an oddity for several reasons. First, although meant to imply an obelisk, a common shape for monuments, it is constructed of local materials by a single individual. Not only that, but it was done during the Great Depression in the year 1934, many years after most monuments relating to the American Civil War were constructed. Also, instead of the typical limestone and marble from which most monuments were made, this monument uses geodes from Tennessee, a sedimentary/volcanic rocks in which several crystals are inside a largely hollow interior. In total, the monument is 12 feet high, with a base of five feet square.[2] [3]
Also, instead of honoring a Confederate soldier from Kentucky, the unknown foot soldier honored was from the 11th Louisiana Infantry, who died days prior to the nearby Battle of Munfordville. He did not die in battle, but instead by accident. He was part of a tree-cutting detail when he was ordered to rest. As he laid down beside a tree, his rifle discharged by striking a branch attached on the tree, causing the bullet to enter his head below his chin, presumably killing him instantly. The unlucky soldier was buried, with rocks placed by his head and feet. Years later, a wire fence was placed around the perimeter of the grave.[4]
Local legend says that Sam Lively built the monument, as he feared the grave would become lost, due to being marked by nothing except rocks.[5]
The monument is technically on private property, but a path was made through several evergreen trees to allow the occasional visitor to visit the monument. A Confederate Naval Jack flies beside the monument.
The Inscription says:
Unknown Soldier C. S. A. was a member of Gen. Clay Anderson division 11th Louisiana Killed Sept. 9, 1862. Erected 1934 by Sam Lively.
[edit] Gallery
 Side view |
 Inscription on marker |
 Straight view |
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ http://www.scrtc.com/~ftcraig/unknown.htm
- ^ Civil War in Kentucky
- ^ http://www.scrtc.com/~ftcraig/unknown.htm
- ^ Re: Munfordville KY Civil War sites
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